On National Day of Solidarity, about two dozen University of Connecticut students took to Fairfield Way in the freezing rain to protest against the “Dakota Access” pipeline (DAPL) in North Dakota.
The “Dakota Access” Pipeline (DAPL) is a fracked-oil pipeline that will cost $3.8 billion and will span for about 1,100 miles. It is currently under construction from the Bakken shale fields of North Dakota to Peoria, Illinois.
DAPL is scheduled to cross Lakota Treaty at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation where it would be laid underneath the Missouri River, the longest river on the continent. Construction of the DAPL would engender a renewed fracking-frenzy in the Bakken shale region, as well endanger a source of fresh water for the Standing Rock Sioux and 8 million people living downstream. DAPL would also impact many sites that are sacred to Standing Rock Sioux and other indigenous nations.
“Very disheartening…graves are being desecrated” said Harmony Knudsen a sophomore at UConn. Knudsen is a Native American student and the head of the Native American Cultural Programs. She is a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. She organized the protest so that she could be a part of the movement.
“I have family protesting right now in North Dakota, since I can’t be there now I was to spread awareness to the UConn community. The DAPL is fracking through scared land, it needs to be stopped.”
The DAPL is a massive project being organized a group of the world’s largest fossil-fuel companies and banks. They have offices in cities around the world. Putting pressure on corporations and funding this project for supporting frontline resistance to DAPL.
“It’s quite interesting how all these banks and companies can come together to destroy private and scared property without permission of the Lakota people and they suffer no repercussions. “Native American ally and senior Kathaine Kimberly said.
The companies building DAPL were able to secure a $2.5 million loan from a collection of banks to build the pipeline. But the pipeline companies can only access $1.1 billion of this loan until certain progress is made on the pipeline project. Three of the main lenders are Citigroup, TD Securities and Mizuho Bank.
Some argue that the DAPL will start an economic boom in across the states that it span and that the technology used to construct it is the safest way to transport billions of barrels. It would also decrease the reliance on foreign oil and it would free up railways transport crude oil. But there is a high risk of an environmental disaster.
“This pipeline not only disturbs sacred land of the Native Americans but it can be an environmental catastrophe. The Native American people have went through so much in this country’s history and now we are taking back the only promise we had for them” Sociology Professor Ronald Taylor said.
The oil could potentially pollute the Missouri River which is a source for about 8 million people. Since the Missouri River is connected to the Mississippi River, the main artery of the United States, it could easily pollute the Mississippi River and then ruin water sources for over 30 million people.
“As an ally I try to bring support to a group who needs their voices to be heard…I listen and care for the people of Standing Rock. It’s time for us allies to rise up and stand against what’s wrong. ”
Hundreds of people have come from all around the world to protest against DAPL. In the process they have been arrested, pepper sprayed in the face and shot by rubber bullets. But they are still fighting through and standing their ground. More than 200 tribes across the nation have declared their support and protested for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
“Every little sign, every person, every chant helps us get the message out,” said Knudsen “in unity we will prosper.”
On the national day of Solidarity UConn students, both Native American and allies, spent over two hours chanting songs and phrases to bring awareness such as “Water is Life” or “Who stands with standing rock? UConn stands with standing rock!” Their chants were echoing throughout Fairfield way.
The DAPL project is not just the problem of the Native Americans of North Dakota, it is a greater issue of all Americans. Water is something humans can’t live without and the Dakota Access Pipeline has to recognize the potential damage that it may cause to the environment, to sacred land, and the people that inhabit it.
Even though this a tough stance the people and supporters of Standing Rock are still protesting and hope to see a difference. Many people feel that this will change the way the earth is treated.
“There are stories of the Creator, giving us this earth to live off of and to cherish. We need to respect it. Building over scared land and polluting nature is not respecting it.” Knudsen said “This is the largest Native American protest in current history, I believe this time something will happen.”
Imani Jean Gilles
Imani Jean-Gilles 